ok guys after surfing pages upon pages of 3.5 engine swaps im not finding what i need to know and appologise if the answer is here and i failed to find it but my problem is this i obviously have a 03 maxima and the engine went south looking for a good replacement since the 5.5 are already known for there infamous oil consuption problems i would like to use a newer engine. I am finding 04 max engines are plentifull will this engine directly bolt up? if not how much trouble am i looking at ? is there another 3.5VQ engine you guys would recommend? i am looking for an easy swap with minimal work but am wiling to do a few mods to make it work also thanks

 

04 is fine.

 

are 04 05 06 same ? someone told me the engine changed slightly after 04

 

The biggest difference will be the oil pan/crankshaft position sensor locaction....
If you get an 04-06 Engine w/a manual transmission or the 4-spd automatic transmission, it will bolt right up.... If the motor was attached to the 5-spd automatic transmission though, the oil pans will have to be swapped, no biggie, just a little more time/labor...
The 04-06 motors also unfortunately developed the timing chain/ guide ratttle so that may be something to look into changing before installing the motor.

 

Yeah a 04 will be fine swapped one into my 03, was smooth and no oil burning was Nice only lasted a month and a half till some B1tch hit me and Totaled it...but Good Luck Man you can go up to a 08 Maxima motor 09 is where you will have to put in alot of work...

 

awesome thanks guys i appreciate it so best to find 07- 08 to get away from the chain rattle too? what needs to be done to rid the chain rattle?